So far only two Big Ten teams have played in bowl games; between now and the next Upset Watch, on Tuesday, January 3^rd, seven Big Ten teams will have played in bowl games, leaving only Michigan left to play.

 

For those of you keeping track, SEC teams are 1-0 (Mississippi State). Big 12 teams are 4-1 (Missouri, Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma won; Iowa State lost). MAC teams are 3-1 in bowl games (Temple, Ohio University, and Toledo won; Western Michigan lost). Conference USA teams are 2-1 (Marshall and Southern Miss won; Tulsa lost). ACC teams are 2-2 (North Carolina and Wake Forest lost; North Carolina State and Florida State won). Independent teams are 1-1 (Notre Dame lost; BYU won). Big East teams are 1-1 (Louisville lost; Rutgers won). Big Ten teams are 1-1 (Purdue won; Iowa lost). Sun Belt teams are 1-1 (Louisiana-Lafayette won, Florida International lost). Mountain West teams are 2-3 (Wyoming, San Diego State, and Air Force lost; TCU and Boise State won). PAC-12 teams are 0-3 (Arizona State, California, and Washington). WAC teams are 0-3 (Utah State, Louisiana Tech, and Nevada).

 

During the regular season, the Upset Watch reviewed picks from the previous week, noted the bad picks, and pointed out a few games to give the underdog some credit in, even if it was only in Vegas. It also looked at one or two sure-fire favorites (two when Michigan wasn’t playing).

 

Because this is the bowl season (and our last hurrah for the 2011-2012 regular season), we’ll cover each of the bowl games, splitting them up by week.

 

As a reminder, the Michigan game will be covered on the January 3^rd posting.

 

Be sure to check out my website, Before Visiting the Sportsbook, throughout the week, for more content.

 

Recap:

Wins

Texas (8-5) -3.0 California (7-6). Result: Texas 21 California 10 [Props to wolver767 and Lord Maker for correctly predicting Texas would cover].

 

Florida State (9-4) -2.5 Notre Dame (8-5). Result: Florida State 18 Notre Dame 14 [Props to One Inch Woody and Lord Maker for correctly predicting Florida State would cover].

 

Baylor (10-3) -9.0 Washington (7-6). Result: Baylor 67 Washington 56 [Props to wolver767, One Inch Woody, Lord Maker, and Trebor for correctly predicting Baylor would cover].

 

Brigham Young (10-3) -1.0 Tulsa (8-5). Result: Brigham Young 24 Tulsa 21 [Props to One Inch Woody for correctly predicting Brigham Young would cover].

 

Push

Toledo (9-4) -1.0 Air Force (7-6). Result: Toledo 42 Air Force 41.

 

Losses

Louisville (7-6) +3.0 North Carolina State (8-5). Result: North Carolina State 31 Louisville 24 [Props to One Inch Woody and jamiemac for correctly predicting North Carolina State would cover].

 

Iowa State (6-7) +2.5 Rutgers (9-4). Result: Rutgers 27 Iowa State 13 [Props to Trebor for correctly predicting Rutgers would cover].

 

Mississippi State (7-6) -6.5 Wake Forest (6-7). Result: Mississippi State 23 Wake Forest 17 Mississippi State (6-6) [Props to One Inch Woody for correctly predicting Wake Forest would cover].

 

Iowa (7-5) +16.0 Oklahoma (9-3). Result: Oklahoma 31 Iowa 14 [Props to Lord Maker for correctly predicting Oklahoma would cover].

 

This Week

Six bowl games that take place between now and the next watch will have a top 25 team playing in them. An ACC/SEC matchup ends the games for 2011, with Virginia and (#25) Auburn meeting in the Chick-fil-A Bowl (7:30 PM EST/ESPN/ESPN 3D/ESPN3). The TicketCity Bowl kicks off the January bowl games, with at large choice (#19) Houston meeting (#22) Penn State (12:00 PM EST/ESPNU/ESPN3). A pair of early afternoon games involve Big Ten/SEC matchups; (#17) Michigan State looks to get Coach Mark Dantonio’s first bowl win as head coach; Michigan State’s last bowl win was in 2001, under then Coach Bobby Williams. The Spartans will meet (#16) Georgia in the Outback Bowl (1:00 PM EST/ABC). (#20) Nebraska will play in their first bowl game as a Big Ten member, meeting (#9) South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl (1:00 PM EST/ESPN/ESPN 3D/ESPN3). In the Granddaddy of them all, (#10) Wisconsin will make their second straight trip to Pasadena, facing (#5) Oregon, who will be in their second straight BCS bowl game (5:00 PM EST/ESPN/ESPN3). Wrapping up the January 2^nd bowl games, once considered national title contenders, (#3) Oklahoma State will meet (#4) Stanford in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (8:30 PM EST/ESPN/ESPN3).

 

Upset Watch

Northwestern (6-6) +11.0 Texas A&M (6-6) (@ Houston, TX). The Aggies are 7^th in total offense (21^st rushing, 18^th passing); Northwestern is 31^st (36^th rushing, 35^th passing). Texas A&M is 66^th in total defense (13^th rushing, 113^th passing); the Wildcats are 80^th (90^th rushing, 58^th passing). These teams have never met. Texas A&M is 13-19 all time in bowl games (0-5 SU in last 5; 0-5 ATS in last 5; 0-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Northwestern is 1-8 all time in bowl games (0-5 SU in last 5; 3-1-1 ATS in last 5; 3-1-1 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald is 40-35 (31-40 ATS, 20-18 ATS underdog); Texas A&M Coach Tim DeRuyter is 0-0 (0-0 ATS, 0-0 ATS favorite). Texas A&M is 3-8 ATS as a favorite this year (3-9 overall ATS); Northwestern is 3-4 ATS as an underdog this year (5-7 overall ATS). Northwestern’s last bowl game was the 2010 TicketCity Bowl, a 45-38 loss to Texas Tech; Texas A&M’s last bowl game was the 2010 Cotton Bowl, a 41-24 loss to LSU. Take Northwestern to cover the points.

 

Utah (7-5) +3.5 Georgia Tech (8-4) (@ El Paso, TX). The Yellow Jackets are 17^th in total offense (3^rd rushing, 112^th passing); Utah is 110^th (82^nd rushing, 99^th passing). Georgia Tech is 45^th in total defense (70^th rushing, 30^th passing); the Utes are 29^th (7^th rushing, 89^th passing). These teams have never met. Georgia Tech is 22-17 all time in bowl games (0-5 SU in last 5; 1-4 ATS in last 5; 0-3 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Utah is 12-4 all time in bowl games (4-1 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 2-1 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham is 64-25 (44-41-2 ATS, 12-10-0 ATS underdog); Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson is 79-47 (67-49-2 ATS, 28-28-1 ATS favorite). Georgia Tech is 4-3-1 ATS as a favorite this year (5-6-1 overall ATS); Utah is 3-3 ATS as an underdog this year (5-7 overall ATS). Georgia Tech’s last bowl game was the 2010 Independence Bowl, a 14-7 loss to Air Force; Utah’s last bowl game was the 2010 Las Vegas Bowl, a 26-3 loss to Boise State. Take Utah to cover the points.

 

Vanderbilt (6-6) -1.5 Cincinnati (9-3) (@ Memphis, TN). The Bearcats are 56^th in total offense (37^th rushing, 70^th passing); Vanderbilt is 97^th (47^th rushing, 98^th passing). Cincinnati is 46^th in total defense (6^th rushing, 105^th passing); the Commodores are 19^th (27^th rushing, 33^rd passing). Vanderbilt leads the series 4-3, with a 34-24 victory over Vanderbilt in 1994, 17-7 in 1993, 13-9 in 1977, and 32-0 in 1934. Cincinnati defeated Vanderbilt 33-7 in 1976, 6-0 in 1899, and 10-0 in 1898. Vanderbilt is 2-1-1 all time in bowl games (1-1 ATS; 0-1 ATS as a favorite). Cincinnati is 5-6 all time in bowl games (3-2 SU in last 5; 1-4 ATS in last 5; 0-1 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Cincinnati Coach Butch Jones is 40-24 (31-28-3 ATS, 9-12 ATS underdog); Vanderbilt Coach James Franklin is 6-6 (9-3 ATS, 4-0 ATS favorite). Vanderbilt is 4-0 ATS as a favorite this year (9-3 overall ATS); Cincinnati is 1-2 ATS as an underdog this year (6-5-1 overall ATS). Vanderbilt’s last bowl game was the 2008 Music City Bowl, in Memphis, a 16-14 win over Boston College; Cincinnati’s last bowl game was the 2009 Sugar Bowl, a 51-24 loss to Florida. Take Vanderbilt to cover the points.

 

Illinois (6-6) -1.5 UCLA (6-7) (@ San Francisco, CA). The Fighting Illini are 86^th in total offense (42^nd rushing, 91^st passing); UCLA is 62^nd (30^th rushing, 81^st passing). Illinois is 7^th in total defense (42^nd rushing, 4^th passing); the Bruins are 91^st (96^th rushing, 68^th passing). UCLA leads the series 6-5, with a 35-17 victory over Illinois in 2004, 6-3 in 2003, 6-3 in 1991 (Sun Bowl), 45-9 in 1984 (Rose Bowl), 18-14 in 1958, and 16-6 in 1957. Illinois defeated UCLA 26-7 in 1964, 18-12 in 1963, 27-13 in 1951, 14-6 in 1950, and 45-14 in 1947 (Rose Bowl). Illinois is 7-9 all time in bowl games (3-2 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 1-0 ATS as a favorite in last 5). UCLA is 14-15-1 all time in bowl games (2-3 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 1-0 ATS as an underdog in last 5). UCLA Coach Mike Johnson is 0-0 (0-0-0 ATS, 0-0-0 ATS underdog); Illinois Coach Vic Koenning is 4-19 (10-10-1 ATS, 0-0 ATS favorite) since 2001. Illinois is 3-7 ATS as a favorite this year (5-7 overall ATS); UCLA is 4-6 ATS as an underdog this year (5-8 overall ATS). Illinois’s last bowl game was the 2010 Texas Bowl, a 38-14 win over Baylor; UCLA’s last bowl game was the 2009 EagleBank Bowl, a 30-21 win over Temple. Take Illinois to cover the points.

 

Virginia (8-4) +3.0 Auburn (7-5) (@ Atlanta, GA). The Cavaliers are 51^st in total offense (53^rd rushing, 62^nd passing); Auburn is 104^th (38^th rushing, 106^th passing). Virginia is 30^th in total defense (34^th rushing, 50^th passing); the Tigers are 78^th (99^th rushing, 45^th passing). The series is tied 1-1, with Virginia defeating Auburn 19-0 in 1998 and Auburn defeating Virginia 28-17 in 1997. Auburn is 21-13-2 all time in bowl games (4-1 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 2-2 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Virginia is 7-10 all time in bowl games (4-1 SU in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5; 3-0 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Virginia Coach Mike London is 12-12 (10-12-2 ATS, 6-7-0 ATS underdog); Auburn Coach Gene Chizik is 34-29 (31-29 ATS, 12-13 ATS favorite). Auburn is 1-3 ATS as a favorite this year (4-8 overall ATS); Virginia is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year (5-6-1 overall ATS). Auburn’s last bowl game was the 2010 BCS National Championship, a 22-19 win over Oregon; Virginia’s last bowl game was the 2007 Gator Bowl, a 31-28 loss to Texas Tech. Take Virginia to cover the points, and win.

 

Penn State (9-3) +9.0 Houston (12-1) (@ Dallas, TX). The Cougars are 1^st in total offense (62^nd rushing, 1^st passing); Penn State is 94^th (54^th rushing, 96^th passing). Houston is 64^th in total defense (77^th rushing, 38^th passing); the Nittany Lions are 10^th (48^th rushing, 5^th passing). Penn State leads the series 2-0, with a 31-14 victory over Houston in 1977 and 24-7 in 1964. Penn State is 27-14-2 all time in bowl games (3-2 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 2-2 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Houston is 8-11-1 all time in bowl games (1-4 SU in last 5; 1-4 ATS in last 5; 1-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Penn State Coach Tom Bradley is 1-2 (1-1-1 ATS, 1-1-1 ATS underdog); Houston Coach Tony Levine is 0-0 (0-0 ATS, 0-0 ATS favorite). Houston is 10-3 ATS as a favorite this year (10-3 overall ATS); Penn State is 1-2-1 ATS as an underdog this year (3-8-1 overall ATS). Penn State’s last bowl game was the 2010 Outback Bowl, a 37-24 loss to Florida; Houston’s last bowl game was the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl, a 47-20 loss to Air Force. Take Penn State to cover the points.

 

Georgia (10-3) -2.0 Michigan State (10-3) (@ Tampa, FL). The Spartans are 60^th in total offense (76^th rushing, 44^th passing); Georgia is 39^th (41^st rushing, 49^th passing). Michigan State is 5^th in total defense (12^th rushing, 11^th passing); the Bulldogs are 3^rd (9^th rushing, 7^th passing). Georgia leads the series 2-0, with a 24-12 victory over Michigan State in 2009 (Capital One Bowl) and 34-27 in 1989 (Gator Bowl). Georgia is 26-17-3 all time in bowl games (4-1 SU in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5; 3-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Michigan State is 7-14 all time in bowl games (0-5 SU in last 5; 1-4 ATS in last 5; 1-4 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio is 61-39 (49-44-4 ATS, 17-9-1 ATS underdog); Georgia Coach Mark Richt is 106-37 (69-64-4 ATS, 47-43-2 ATS favorite). Georgia is 8-2 ATS as a favorite this year (8-4-1 overall ATS); Michigan State is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year (9-4 overall ATS). Michigan State’s last bowl game was the 2010 Capital One Bowl, a 49-7 loss to Alabama; Georgia’s last bowl game was the 2010 Liberty Bowl, a 10-6 loss to UCF. Take Georgia to cover the points.

 

South Carolina (10-2) +1.0 Nebraska (9-3) (@ Orlando, FL). The Cornhuskers are 59^th in total offense (13^th rushing, 103^rd passing); South Carolina is 74^th (26^th rushing, 97^th passing). Nebraska is 36^th in total defense (66^th rushing, 17^th passing); the Gamecocks are 4^th (45^th rushing, 2^nd passing). Nebraska leads the series 3-0, with a 30-21 victory over South Carolina in 1987, 27-24 in 1986, and 28-6 in 1964. South Carolina is 4-12 all time in bowl games (1-4 SU in last 5; 1-4 ATS in last 5; 0-1 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Nebraska is 24-23 all time in bowl games (3-2 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 1-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini is 39-15 (27-25-1 ATS, 24-21-1 ATS favorite); South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier is 64-37 (52-42-3 ATS, 21-21-2 ATS underdog) since 2001. South Carolina is 0-1 ATS as an underdog this year (5-6-1 overall ATS); Nebraska is 4-5-1 ATS as a favorite this year (4-7-1 overall ATS). South Carolina’s last bowl game was the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl, a 26-17 loss to Florida State; Nebraska’s last bowl game was the 2010 Holiday Bowl, a 19-7 loss to Washington. Take South Carolina to cover the points, and win.

 

Ohio (6-6) +2.0 Florida (6-6) (@ Jacksonville, FL). The Buckeyes are 107^th in total offense (27^th rushing, 116^th passing); Florida is 102^nd (75^th rushing, 87^th passing). Ohio is 24^th in total defense (52^nd rushing, 15^th passing); the Gators are 9^th (40^th rushing, 9^th passing). Florida leads the series 1-0, with a 41-14 victory over Ohio in 2007 (BCS National Championship). Florida is 19-19 all time in bowl games (4-1 SU in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5; 3-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Ohio is 20-22 all time in bowl games (2-3 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 2-1 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Ohio Coach Luke Fickell is 6-6 (6-6 ATS, 4-1 ATS underdog); Florida Coach Will Muschamp is 6-6 (4-8 ATS, 4-3 ATS favorite). Florida is 4-3 ATS as a favorite this year (4-8 overall ATS); Ohio is 4-1 ATS as an underdog this year (6-6 overall ATS). Florida’s last bowl game was the 2010 Outback Bowl, a 37-24 win over Penn State; Ohio’s last bowl game was the 2010 Sugar Bowl, a 31-26 win over Arkansas. Take Ohio to cover the points.

 

Oregon (11-2) -5.5 Wisconsin (11-2) (@ Pasadena, CA). The Badgers are 15^th in total offense (10^th rushing, 63^rd passing); Oregon is 6^th (5^th rushing, 68^th passing). Wisconsin is 8^th in total defense (47^th rushing, 3^rd passing); the Ducks are 60^th (46^th rushing, 82^nd passing). Wisconsin leads the series 3-1 with a 27-23 victory over Oregon in 2000, 22-19 in 1978, and 22-10 in 1977. Oregon defeated Wisconsin 31-28 in 2001. Oregon is 9-15 all time in bowl games (2-3 SU in last 5; 2-3 ATS in last 5; 0-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Wisconsin is 11-11 all time in bowl games (2-3 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 3-2 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema is 60-18 (39-34-1 ATS, 6-8 ATS underdog); Oregon Coach Chip Kelly is 33-6 (21-16-2 ATS, 18-13-2 ATS favorite). Oregon is 5-6-1 ATS as a favorite this year (6-6-1 overall ATS); Wisconsin is 0-0 ATS as an underdog this year (7-6 overall ATS). Oregon’s last bowl game was the 2010 BCS National Championship, a 22-19 loss to Auburn; Wisconsin’s last bowl game was the 2010 Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, a 21-19 loss to TCU. Take Oregon to cover the points.

 

Stanford (11-1) +4.0 Oklahoma State (11-1) (@ Glendale, AZ). The Cardinal are 11^th in total offense (22^nd rushing, 26^th passing); Oklahoma State is 3^rd (43^rd rushing, 2^nd passing). Stanford is 25^th in total defense (5^th rushing, 78^th passing); the Cowboys are 107^th (84^th rushing, 102^nd passing). These teams have never met. Oklahoma State is 13-8 all time in bowl games (3-2 SU in last 5; 3-2 ATS in last 5; 3-1 ATS as a favorite in last 5). Stanford is 10-11-1 all time in bowl games (2-3 SU in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5; 3-0 ATS as an underdog in last 5). Stanford Coach David Shaw is 11-1 (9-3 ATS, 0-0-0 ATS underdog); Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy is 58-30 (50-32-3 ATS, 33-14-1 ATS favorite). Oklahoma State is 8-3 ATS as a favorite this year (9-3 overall ATS); Stanford is 0-0 ATS as an underdog this year (9-3 overall ATS). Oklahoma State’s last bowl game was the 2010 Alamo Bowl, a 36-10 win over Arizona; Stanford’s last bowl game was the 2010 Orange Bowl, a 40-12 win over Virginia Tech. Take Stanford to cover the points.

 

Who ya got?